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This holiday season, set aside the worries and hustling and bustling of today and gather around the yuletide fire of yesterday with friends and family at Mount Hope Estate & Winery’s 26th annual production of “Dickens of a Christmas.” Opening Friday, November 27 and continuing through Sunday, December 27, this theatrical holiday haven will offer a glimpse of the warmth and wonder of a Victorian Christmas celebration from 150 years ago, featuring family-oriented holiday shows and merriment for children “ages one to ninety-two.”

Mount Hope Mansion is the perfect place for this turn-of-the-century Christmas celebration. Bedecked within and without in her 19th century finery, the 209-year-old Victorian mansion will be transformed into a winter wonderland, complete with six opulent Christmas trees decorated with traditional Victorian ornaments and surrounded by brightly wrapped packages. Evergreen garlands and red velvet bows will stretch from floor to ceiling. Twinkling lights and a crackling fire laid out in the Yuletide fireplace will chase away winter’s chills.

This year’s “Dickens of a Christmas” is set in 1843. The young Queen Victoria and her husband Prince Albert have decided to throw the holiday celebration of the century and are inviting one and all. Join the royal couple as they share their favorite Christmas stories and traditions. Rumor has it that a certain up-and-coming English author might just drop by, with a story that Queen Victoria swears will change Christmas forever.

After the introductions, revelers will retire to different rooms in the Mansion, transformed into intimate theaters. In the Ballroom, Chapel, Dining Room and Morning Parlor, three separate 30-minute performances will deliver sleighfuls of holiday cheer, Christmas sentiment, comedy, drama and just plain fun.

Step into the parlour with members of the Dickens family and get swept up in the Christmas revelry in “Christmas with the Dickenses.” Enjoy Victorian-era parlour games, holiday poetry, and even a bit of gift-giving for those brave enough to accept the Dickens Christmas Trivia Challenge.

“Stille Nacht,” a wonderful story from Prince Albert’s home country of Germany, is based on the true tale of how one of the most famous Christmas carols in history was written. It’s a perfect holiday offering, filled with beautiful music, hysterical comedy, and a touching reminder of the spirit of the season.

It just wouldn’t be a “Dickens of a Christmas” without the Mt. Hope Yuletide traditional performance of “A Christmas Carol.” Charles Dickens himself, aided by the royal butler Higgins, will bring this classic Christmas story to life. But be warned, Charlie loves getting his friends involved so audience members may find themselves on stage as part of the story.

The warmth and merriment of “A Dickens of a Christmas” will begin Friday, November 27, and run through Friday, December 27. Friday show times are 6 and 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday show times are 1, 4 and 7 p.m. Limited weekday shows are available with a show time of 7 p.m. Adult admission is $19.95 weekends and $17.95 midweek. Admission for children, ages 5 to 11, is $9.95.

Begin your joyful holiday sojourn with a fine dining experience beyond compare at the Swashbuckler Brewery & Restaurant, located adjacent to the Mansion, before enjoying the festive entertainment. A gourmet buffet featuring classic, home-style dishes including fresh Lancaster County Carved Ham, Slow Braised Pot Roast with Irish Whiskey Gravy and Traditional Turkey with Stuffing will be available December 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 21, 22 and 23 at 5 p.m. followed by a 7 p.m. performance of “A Dickens of a Christmas.” The cost is $39.95 per
person and includes the show ticket. A cash bar will be available.

The Swashbuckler Brewery & Restaurant will be open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 4:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. for a la carte dining. Call 717-665-7021, ext. 146 for reservations.

Seating for “A Dickens of a Christmas” performances and Dinner and a Show performances is limited. Tickets can be purchased through the Virtual Box Office at PaRenFaire.com or by calling the Box Office at (717) 665- 7021. All menus are subject to change.

Mount Hope Estate & Winery, placed on the National Register of Historical Places by the United States Government, is located on Route 72 ½ mile south of Turnpike exit 266, 15 miles north of Lancaster and 14 miles east of Hershey.

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Everyone's favorite Christmas tale, "A Christmas Carol," springs to life in a new, comedy-filled and interactive performance as professional actors bring Charles Dickens' classic story to Victorian Mount Hope Mansion's "Dickens of a Christmas", which opens Friday November 27, and continues through Sunday, December 27.

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The 26th annual "Dickens of a Christmas," performed in the 209-year-old Victorian Mount Hope Mansion bedecked in her holiday finery, features three intimate theatrical performances, storytelling, caroling and more. Experience the warmth and wonder of the Christmas season with these holiday festivities opening Friday, November 27, at Mount Hope Estate & Winery in northern Lancaster County.

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Witness Charles Dickens' and his butler Higgins' comedic two-man performance of "A Christmas Carol" in Victorian Mount Hope Mansion. Dickens loves to get his friends involved so you may end up as part of the show yourself at the 26th annual "Dickens of a Christmas," which begins the holiday season on November 27 at Mount Hope Estate & Winery in northern Lancaster County.

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Join Charles Dickens' family in Victorian-era parlour games, holiday poetry, and gift-giving, if you're brave enough to accept the Dickens Christmas Trivia Challeng, at "Dickens of a Christmas" opening Friday, November 27 at Mount Hope Estate & Winery in northern Lancaster County.

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Prince Albert brings the German tale of "Stille Nacht" to Victorian Mount Hope Mansion with music, holiday cheer and, of course, comedy! Come hear the tale of one of the most famous Christmas carols ever written at Mount Hope Estate & Winery's 26th annual "Dickens of a Christmas" beginning Friday, November 27.

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